Barbara Hirshkowitz, activist who aided prisoners

Barbara Hirshkowitz, 57, cofounder of Books Through Bars, a program that provides books to prisoners, and publications director for the Friends General Conference, died of pancreatic cancer March 2 at her home in West Philadelphia.

Ms. Hirshkowitz's lifelong love of books began with her first job in the public library in the Queens borough of New York City while in high school. When she moved to California as a young woman, she began practicing Buddhism, and became involved in peace and social-justice causes. She earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts in 1971 from Humboldt State College and a master's in dramatic arts in 1978 from the University of California at Davis.

"In 1983, Barbara spent six months in Japan with the Buddhist order Nipponzan Myohoji, and joined its annual pilgrimage from Tokyo to protest the bombing of Hiroshima. In 1984, she walked more than 3,000 miles in four peace walks in the United States," said her cousin Taylor Frome. "Much of Barbara's peace activism was personal. During the months before her death, she folded 1,000 origami peace cranes and gave them to friends along with the story of Sasaki-san, a young Japanese girl who made paper cranes while in the hospital dying of leukemia after Hiroshima. Sasaki-san left this poem: 'I will write peace on your wings, and fly you all around the world.' "

In 1986, she moved to West Philadelphia to become an editor at New Society Publishers, where she worked for 10 years.

From 1998 until she became too ill to work, Ms. Hirshkowitz was publications director for the Friends General Conference, where she edited several books. She was also book-review editor of Turning Wheel: Journal of Socially Engaged Buddhism.

In 1992, Ms. Hirshkowitz cofounded Books Through Bars, a volunteer organization that provides books for prisoners who request them. She organized a traveling exhibit of prisoners' drawings that she received along with thousands of thank-you letters.

To raise funds for Books Through Bars, Ms. Hirshkowitz started an annual read-athon in which she and others read for per-page pledges of money. In this year's event, she raised $15,000 by reading 1,200 pages.

During her life, Ms. Hirshkowitz lived in 28 homes, planting flowers and gardens as she went. For the last 15 years, she and eight other people lived in Vortex House, part of a community land trust program in West Philadelphia founded by peace activists in the 1970s. In 1998, Ms. Hirshkowitz met Steve Beuret, who lives a few blocks away. They remained companions until she died.

During her last week, Ms. Hirshkowitz meditated daily, read to an ailing neighbor, attended a performance at the Annenberg Center, supervised seed planting for this summer's cooperative garden, and reminded those who pledged money for Books Through Bars of their contributions.

In addition to her cousin and companion, Ms. Hirshkowitz is survived by her mother, Bernice Hirshkowitz; a brother; and several cousins. A memorial service and tree planting will be held at 1 p.m. April 7 at Friends Southwestern Burial Ground, 236 Powell Lane, Upper Darby.

Donations may be made to Books Through Bars, 4722 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia 19143.